RUF Developing Electric Test Vehicles Based on the Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche tuner RUF Automobile is developing ten electric vehicles with three different powertrains based on the 911 Carrera (997), which will be put to the test in “real life situations”. The prototypes are being manufactured in cooperation with German electronics giant Siemens AG and are going to be presented in the first half of 2011. The three eRUF variants feature a single motor concept, twin motor concept with 2-speed gearbox and twin motor concept with torque vectoring.

The first powertrain comprises a 180 kW (241HP) electric motor, 29 kWh lithium-ion battery and standard Porsche gearbox used for speed reduction. The setup offers an estimated driving range of 150 km (93 miles) and decent performance: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

The prototypes using the twin motor concept are even faster, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 5 seconds, while also maxing out at 220 km/h or 137 mph. Two synchronous electric motors deliver 250 kW (335HP) and are coupled to a 2-speed automatic transmission. The more potent battery pack (36,6 kWh) extends the driving range to 200 km (124 mph).

Last but not least, the third variant uses the same twin motor setup, while adding torque vectoring into the mix as well. Engineers mounted two separate gearboxes into the car, each powering a rear wheel. Acceleration and driving range are the same, however estimated top speed decreases to about 180 km/h (112 mph).

The field test are expected to provide important data on the different battery and powertrain setups, which will be handed over to the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, also involved in the project.

eRUF variants [Press Release]

1. Single Motor Concept
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Electric motor (180 kW) and inverter from Siemens AG
- Porsche production gearbox used for speed reduction
- Lithium-ion batteries with an energy capacity of 29 kWh
- Integrated charger, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for analysis and documentation of the charging/ discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 150 km, maximum speed about 220 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds
2. Twin Motor Concept with 2-speed Gearbox
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Two transversely mounted Siemens synchronous electric motors (250 kW) with double inverters
- Automatic 2 speed gearbox, limited slip differential
- Liquid cooled and heated lithium ion battery with an energy capacity of 36,6 kWh
- Integrated charger, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for ananlysis and documentation of the charging/ discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 200 km, maximum speed about 220 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5 seconds
3. Twin Motor concept with Torque Vectoring
- Base vehicle, Porsche 997 Carrera
- Two transversely mounted Siemens synchronous electric motors (250 kW) with double inverters
- Two seperate angular bevel gearboxes for independent rear wheel drive
- Liquid cooled and heated lithium ion battery with an energy capacity of 36,6 kWh
- Charging via inverter, DCDC-converter, plug, socket and charging cable
- interior heating
- Data recording unit for analysis and documentation of the charging/discharging, journey and component data
- Driving range approximately 200 km, maximum speed about 180 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5 seconds

Porsche Quietly Rolls Out Pure-Electric Boxster E Prototypes

In a German-language only press release and without much fanfare, Porsche announced the introduction of a trio of electric-powered Boxster E prototypes. Over the next few months, these pure-electric test vehicles will be trialed in and around the city of Stuttgart to provide feedback on the feasibility and usability of the concept in everyday use.

Porsche is keeping mum on most of the details surrounding the three prototype Boxster roadsters simply stating that the cars are equipped with two-electric motors that deliver up to 180kW or 241-horsepower, and are fed through a 29-kWh battery package.

Artist's Rendition of 2013 Porsche Cajun Small SUV

It's no secret that Porsche is working on a new model to further expand its range in the SUV segment. In fact, the German sports car maker not only confirmed the vehicle but also announced that it is being developed under the working name "Cajun". Further details remain unknown including of course the Cajun's styling direction and whether or not it will be a three-door (most likely) or five-door model.

Nevertheless, Teamspeed member and rendering specialist Wild-Speed has come up with a styling proposal for the Cajun. The artist designed the crossover as a three-door model with a sloping roofline incorporating styling elements from the latest Cayenne, Panamera and the 918 Spyder (notice the head lamps). You can check out the renderings in high resolution after the jump.

Porsche Four-Door Sedans of the Past or How to Make the Panamera Look Good

The famous automaker from Stuttgart is no stranger to controversy. And like the Cayenne SUV, Porsche's first ever production four door sedan, the all-new Panamera sports saloon received some decidedly mixed reviews in concern of its styling. But compared with some past attempts to create a four-door Porsche, the Panamera looks like a piece of art -okay, okay, maybe we're exaggerating a bit here just to make a point.

The first Porsche saloon you see pictured on your right hand was based on the late 1960's 911. It was a one-off custom creation built by California coach builder Troutman-Barnes with the blessings of Porsche.

It is claimed that the eerie-looking sports saloon with the rear suicide doors and the four-seat layout was crafted by conjoining two crashed 1967 911s.

In the mid-1980s, Porsche and AMG (then, an independent company) developed a fully working prototype of a four-door 928 S4 that could be viewed today as the Mazda RX-8's forefather. It featured an extended wheelbase, half-sized suicide rear doors and looks that kill - literally...

The bizarre-looking 1986 928 S4 saloon was delivered to the founder and CEO of American Sunroof Corporation (ASC), Heinz Prechter. In August 2002, the car was changed hands at the RM Monterey Auctions for $44,000, or $1,000 less than the low estimate.

And last but perhaps not least as there may be another custom built or concept Porsche sedan that we are not aware of, is the 989 prototype that was created under the watchful eye of Dr. Ulrich Bez, now in charge of Aston Martin.

Quite possibly the closest relative to the Panamera, the V8-powered 989 sedan project kicked off in the late 1980s but was terminated in the early 1990s as falling sales of the 928 made Porsche rethink the idea twice. Even though the Stuttgart-based automaker initially said that the concept model had been destroyed, later on, officials claimed that the 989 remains in storage hidden away from prying eyes.

Via: Insideline , Photo Sources: Tamerlane's Thoughts & Conceptcarz